Crossing a wide divided road, a pedestrian gets as far as the median island and stops there, even though the walk signal is still showing. Is something wrong?

Correct answer: A. No — the signals are timed for a two-stage crossing, so they wait on the median and cross the second half on the next cycle

No — that is the crossing working as designed. Book 6 describes the TWO STAGE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING sign, posted on the median facing pedestrians, as warning them "that the pedestrian signals are timed for a two-stage crossing", and sets out the strategy: "the intended safe crossing strategy is for pedestrians to cross the first stage of the crossing, wait on the divider or median island, and cross the second stage of the crossing on the next signal cycle." It is used where "the pedestrian phase of traffic signal is too short to enable most pedestrians to safely cross both stages." For a driver on the far half of the road, the practical consequence is that someone standing on the median is not finished — they are waiting to step out in front of you on the next cycle, and they have the signal to do it.

Source: MTO Driver's Handbook: Ontario Traffic Manual, Book 6 — Warning Signs (July 2001), Section 7 — TWO STAGE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING Sign (Wc-29)